Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Four Youths Charged with Armed Robbery

Four male youths, three sixteen year-old youths and one 17 year-old male youth are currently in custody in connection to the armed robberies. The first robbery occurred on the 30th of October at 11:07 pm at the Mac’s Convenience Store on Queen Street East. The suspects attended at the store in a stolen Plymouth Van. Two of the males, wearing dark clothing, ball caps and bandanas entered the store brandishing knives and robbed the clerk of an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes. The suspects fled in the stolen van. Officers attended in the area but could not locate the van.

The second robbery occurred at 12:48 this morning at the Mac’s Convenience Store on Wellington Street West. The stolen van was used in this robbery as well. The two suspects fitting the same description entered the store once again with knives and stole an undisclosed amount of cash and cigarettes. The two males got into the van and fled westbound towards Douglas Street. City police located the van a short time later running and abandoned on Henrietta Street. The Canine Unit attended to search for the suspects. At the time, witnesses in the area observed three to four males running in the area of sixth and Seventh Avenue attempting to hide between houses. Two of the suspects were tracked and located behind a residence on Sixth Avenue at 2:50 am and arrested. At 3:06 am, two more suspects were tracked and located on Seventh Avenue and arrested.
The clerks at the stores were not physically injured.
The van involved in the robberies was reported stolen around 11 pm last night from a residence on Allard Street.
The investigation into these robberies is ongoing by Investigation Services. Further details regarding charges will be released later.

Youth's Steal I-Pod

City police also responded to another robbery complaint that involved a 16 year-old male youth that had his I-POD stolen. It is alleged that on the 30th of October at approximately 9:30 pm three male youths, confronted the 16 year-old male victim that was known to them on Goulais Avenue, grabbed him and stole his I-Pod. One of the youths said he had a gun and would shoot the victim. Two of the accused males, ages 12 and 14 years-old were located a short timer later at their residence and both charged with once count of robbery and one count of possession of property obtained by crime. The I-POD was recovered. The victim received an injury that did not require medical attention. Both accused are to appear in bail court this morning.

Failed to Provide Breath Sample

49 year-old Lawrence Meyers of 225 Huron Street was arrested on the 31st of October at 1:18 am on Peoples Road and charged with once count of fail to provide breath or blood sample. It is alleged that on the 31st of October at 1:16 am city police observed a Dodge Van northbound on Peoples Road that was traveling at a high rate of speed. The van was observed crossing the center line several times. It is alleged that when police stopped and checked the driver he was found to be under the influence of alcohol. The accused was transported to the station and refused to provide a breath sample. He is to appear in court on the 3rd of December.

The following mischief reports were taken yesterday and overnight:

1) Yesterday afternoon a vehicle that was parked on Breton Road had a rear cap window broken.

2) A vehicle that was parked at the Steelback Centre on Saturday night was keyed.

3) Youths threw apples at a truck last night around 6:15 pm on Carmen’s Way breaking a window on the vehicle.

4) Six youths threw bottles at a vehicle that was traveling on Great Northern Road last night around 10:54 pm cracking the windshield on the vehicle. The youths were described as 16-18 years, one wearing a toque, one a blue and white coat and another with a dark sweater.

5) Halloween decorations at a residence on Grandhaven Crescent were damaged and stolen

Pumpkin Patrol

Just a reminder, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will by joined by staff from Shaw Cable and members of the Twin Soo Radio Club tonight to help ensure that all little ghosts and goblins are safe. The Twin Soo Radio Club has been patrolling on Halloween night for many years. This is the third year that Shaw Cable will be out in their service vans on “Pumpkin Patrol”. The extra sets of eyes and ears in the Community are appreciated

No More Parking on the Streets

As of midnight tonight we start into the new month of November. The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service is reminding motorists that as of midnight tonight there is no parking of vehicles on city streets between midnight and 6 am. The parking prohibition by-law starts at midnight on November 1st and runs through to midnight on March 31st, 2008. Persons who disobey this by-law will receive a $15 fine and may have their vehicle towed. If your vehicle is towed you then have the additional cost of the towing and storage fee at the compound. Even when there is not snow the by-law is in effect. Often the weatherman can be wrong with his message and when this occurs officers from the Police Service are kept busy tagging and towing cars to assist the City Board of Works crews in snow removal. So obey the by-law and don’t park on the streets between midnight and 6 am.